Description:

The Housing Practice Group (HPG) seeks to ensure that tenants live in decent, safe, and sanitary housing, free from discrimination and affirmatively furthers fair housing through litigation, negotiation, and advocacy in various venues. The HPG defends tenants – mostly subsidized housing residents -- against unwarranted evictions and represents individuals and families who are facing the termination of their tenant-based rental assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher and other subsidized housing programs.

Position: A Non-Profit Legal Service Company seeks two full-time attorneys in our Housing Practice Group (HPG). The attorneys will support all aspects of our advocacy work, including but not limited to, the Early Resolution Program and Right to Counsel Pilot Project (RTC).

The RTC Pilot will provide extended representation to tenants in eviction court in Chicago.

Responsibilities:

Manage a caseload and provide full and effective legal representation to individuals
Develop and maintain knowledge in a specialized area of law, and competence in related areas of law
Interview eligible clients on a wide range of housing issues and provide advice and brief services in appropriate cases
Work with other practice group staff in interdisciplinary work
Work collaboratively with Legal Aid Chicago supervisors, staff, students and volunteers to provide comprehensive legal services
Maintain knowledge in other areas of law handled by Legal Aid Chicago to ensure that clients' legal needs are identified and met in those areas
Participate in complex litigation or advocacy to address systemic issues
Maintain case files and accurate timekeeping in electronic case management system
Collaborate on projects that could involve outreach to community groups, developing new strategies for serving our clients, or address systemic issues through litigation, negotiation or advocacy
Participate in training to agencies, advocates, clients, or community groups about legal services and rights impacting low income persons
Participate in other activities related to poverty law including publication, permissible legislative and administrative advocacy, media relations, and fundraising
Assist with grant reporting, as appropriate and applicable
Handle other duties as necessary.

Requirements:

Applicants must have a J.D. degree and be licensed to practice law in Illinois or be licensed in another state and able to waive into the Illinois bar.
Experience in housing law and eviction defense is preferred.
Strong oral and written communication skills, highly developed organizational skills, and strong client counseling skills are necessary.
The successful applicant will be collegial and demonstrate a commitment to and experience with our client communities and/or people living in poverty, and applicants are encouraged to share that experience in their cover letter
The applicant's personal background, experience, or professional background should reflect an ability to work effectively in cross-cultural situations with clients, co-workers and the community we serve.